the Resource Information Program for Parents on Lifestyle and Education

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Over the past four years, our integrated team of researchers (University of Alberta), clinicians and administrators (Edmonton Oliver Primary Care Network), and stakeholders (Alberta Health Services, Government of Alberta) collaborated to develop, refine, and pilot test an eHealth intervention to help parents prevent childhood obesity in primary care.

With gratitude to our generous funding from Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions and the Public Health Agency of Canada, we covered a lot of ground over a short period of time:

Based on the literature (as well as from our RIPPLE RCT), we know that a sizable proportion of parents with children classified as overweight or obese tend to underestimate their weight status. However, little is known regarding the impact of parental misperceptions on children’s weight across childhood.

Recently, I attended a fellow student’s mock seminar on engagement in pediatric weight management. Based on this presentation, discussion ensued regarding how to define the concept of engagement…. should we characterize it based on what it is (i.e.,actions performed that benefit the individual or others) or what it isn’t (e.g., not initiating treatment)?

What is RIPPLE?

RIPPLE is a brief, web-based program for parents of 5-17 year olds; the program is designed to enhance parents' concern for and motivation to support children's healthy weights and lifestyle behaviors. Parents will complete RIPPLE on an iPad while they wait for their child's upcoming pediatrician appointment at the Allin Clinic.

About Us!

Ms. Jill Avis is a PhD candidate and Dr. Geoff Ball is an Associate Professor, both in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta.
Together over the past three years, Jill and Geoff have worked with over 40 clinicians, researchers, and policy-makers to develop, refine, and test RIPPLE.

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